Yarn covering apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus used in conjunction with machinery operating at high speeds for wrapping elastomeric thread with a cover yarn, including a spindle and a concentrically mounted housing on the spindle having a interior chamber suitable for receiving one or more self-supporting yarn packages. Yarn is fed from the packages held within the chamber through an opening therein and dispensed, as the spindle and housing rotate at high speed, about the elastomeric thread passing through a longitudinal passage in the spindle. The apparatus contains various means for regulating the behavior of the cover yarn as it is dispensed from the chamber and is wrapped about the elastomeric thread.

United States Patent Peel et al.

154] YARN COVERING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Robert Peel, 1502 Reynolda Road,

Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104; Francis B. Northup, 725 West End Boulevard, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 [22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1969 [21] App]. No.: 847,072

[52] [1.5. CI ..57/18 [51] Int. Cl. ..D02j 3/28 [58] Field of Search ..57/16-18, 59, 61, 57/62 [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,813,611 7/193l Dickie et a1 ..57/62X 2,944,383 7/1960 Lawrence et al. ..57/62 X 3,466,864 9/1969 Smith ..57/62 1,891,194 12/1932 Potter et al. ..57/18 1,934,363 11/1933 Littlefield ..57/18 2,224,110 12/1940 Walsh ..57/16 2,276,797 3/1942 Schlums ..57/16 511 Oct. 17, 1972 2,602,281 7/1952 Bunch ..57/18 2,666,289 1/1954 Bunch ..57/l8 X 2,910,822 11/1959 Bunch ..57/18 3,208,727 9/1965 Greene et al. ..57/18 X Primary Examiner-Donald E. Watkins Attorney-Charles Y. Lackey [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus used in conjunction with machinery operating at high speeds for wrapping elastomeric thread with a cover yarn, including a spindle and a concentrically mounted housing on the spindle having a interior chamber suitable for receiving one or more self-supporting yarn packages. Yarn is fed from the packages held within the chamber through an opening therein and dispensed, as the spindle and housing rotate at high speed, about the elastomeric thread passing through a longitudinal passage in the spindle. The apparatus contains various means for regulating the' behavior of the cover yarn as it is dispensed from the chamber and is wrapped about the elastomeric thread.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm n :912 SHEET 1 OF 2 3,698,173

w I "a YARN COVERING APPARATUS BACKGROUND, BRIEF SUMMARY, AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION conventionally, in a yarn wrapping operation, the cover yarn, which may be single or multi-end, is held on a spool or bobbin, which in turn is mounted on a rotating hollow-centered spindle. The covering yarn passes over-end from the bobbin as the elastomeric core is drawn upwardly though the spindle, and in so doing wraps spirally around the core yarn above the nose of the spindle. If a double covered yarn is required, the core yarn hereinafter referred to as an elastomeric thread wrapped with the first or bottom cover is passed vertically through a second hollow spindle. This is mounted directly above the bottom (first) spindle but rotates in the opposite direction and applies the second or top cover.

The covered elastomeric thread is then taken off on a suitable package. The relationship between spindle speed, elastomeric thread feed and covered thread take-off determine the characteristics of the covered yarn, and all play a vital role in the production of balanced yarns having the required elongation, modulus, stretchability and appearance. Representative covering techniques for producing balanced, covered elastic yarns are disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,166,885.

Covered yarns offer very distinct advantages in that l the covering yarns limit the amount of elongation of the total yarn structure since the covers jam at. a predetermined point as the yarn is stretched, and (2 as the core yarn contracts, the covering yarns also jam at a predetermined minimum tension. This latter jamming fixes the length of the yarn at rest and permits construction of more open fabrics. The two jamming points control the maximum and minimum tension limits between which the yarn will operate, and thus control the power and elongation of the final fabric.

Present production capabilities for wrapping elastomeric threads are governed by the rotating speed of the spindle containing the wrapping yarn which has previously been held to approximately 20,000 to 25,000 revolutions per minute or below. This rotational capability is achieved by using a flange spool or bobbin which is limited to some extent by the centrifugal force on the yarn ballooning away from the spool or spindle as it is taken off the bobbin. Focusing on the design of the cover yarn supply structure, the present invention has been developed so that higher rotational speeds of the yarn supply may be achieved without the inherent disadvantages which are rather apparent from the flange spool or bobbin construction.

It has been found that a relatively small yarn containing cup can be provided of a particular design which will cooperatively receive a quantity of cover yarn which will then be fed therefrom and about elastomeric thread passing within an aperture extending longitudinally through the spindle which supports the cup. There are decided advantages in dispensing yarn from such a structure a significant effect of centrifugal force is, to a large extent, vitiated.

In the broadest sense, the present invention comprises a yarn cup particularly designed for rotation at high speeds which will provide cover yarns for wrapping elastomeric threads. The cup structure includes a spindle and a concentrically mounted housing secured to and rotatable with the spindle, the housing having a hollow interior forming a chamber which receives for dispensing a uniquely designed supply of cover yarn suitable for wrapping elastomeric threads. The cover yarn is fed from the chamber as the housing rotates with the spindle and wound about the elastomeric thread passing through a passage extending longitudinally of the spindle. The chamber is substantially enclosed by a cover which regulates to certain degree the dispensing of the cover yarn from the chamber and positioning about the elastomeric thread. The spindle is particularly designed to permit expeditious dispensation of the cover yarn, and the dispensed cover yarn is further regulated by a flange member atfixed over the end of the spindle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a primary object of the present invention is to provide high speed operating machinery for wrapping cover yarn elastomeric threads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved structural components for high speed wrapping machinery which will permit greater rotational speeds for the wrapping operation than heretofore attainable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide, in particular, a yarn cup for holding and supplying cover yarn about a moving elastomeric thread capable of greater rotational speed during the wrapping operation because of a specific structural configuration to minimize vibration and other effects of centrifugal force.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a yarn cup of the type described having an internal chamber for receiving a uniquely designed supply of cover yarn for wrapping elastomeric threads.

A further object of the present invention is to pr0- vide a yarn package of unique construction for insertion and continuous dispensation from the chamber of the rotating cup.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent after a consideration of the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION FIG. I is a perspective and fragmentary view of an apparatus for wrapping elastomeric threads with cover yarns wherein a plural drive rotates a number of yarn cups constituting the present invention that dispense cover yarn to elastomeric threads moving in close proximity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of the yarn cup, cover, and spindle adopted to support the cup and cover for rotation, which comprise a primary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side-elevational and sectional view of the spindle and cup illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a yarn package suitable for disposition and dispensation within the chamber of the cup illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a multiple spindle, yarn wrapping machine designated generally as suitable for applying a double layer of cover yarn to an elastomeric thread moving nearby in a manner subsequently to be described. A frame 12 supports a plurality of packages 14 holding elastomeric threads for subsequent wrapping. The elastomeric thread 16 is fed upwardly through a yarn tensioning device 18 of conventional design and thence to and through a particularly designed spindle 20 over which is positioned a yarn cup shown generally as 22 whose particular structure will be specified in greater detail subsequently.

Cover yarn is fed initially from within the lower cup 22 spirally about thread 16 in a single direction. As the thread 16 continues to move upwardly toward a second spindle 24 and cup 22 arrangement like that discussed previously, another layer of cover yarn is fed spirally and in the opposite direction about the thread and over the first'layer of covered yarn. Consequently a two-ply covering for the elastomeric yarn is achieved. Takeup packages 26 are located at the upper level of the machine 10 for easy doffing when each wrapped thread package is completed.

Rotation of the elastomeric package drive shafts 28 and 30 is achieved by any suitable and conventional drive means such air or electric driving devices and frictional linear driving belts 32 and 34 in the illustrated embodiment are driven from preferably a common source to provide the necessary spindle rotation for the wrapping operation.

Suitable controls for all of the various components of the apparatus 10 are housed in a control panel 36 positioned adjacent to the cooperating components of the machine which generally correspond to the two representative examples shown in FIG. 1.

The structural configuration of the yarn cup 22 includes a concentric housing 38 supported by a spindle 40 which has a passage 42 extending longitudinally therethrough. The design of the housing 38 is such that a chamber 44 is formed therein which will receive a supply of yarn suitable for wrapping elastomeric thread in a manner subsequently to be described.

The spindle has various threaded and recessed portions shown generally as 46 for affixing and securing the spindle to a base or supporting member in a suitable manner to ensure it rigidity during the high rotational speeds attained during the wrapping operation. These components are of any conventional construction and do not form a part of the present invention.

It has been found advantageous to taper the upper portion 48 of the spindle 40 upwardly in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to permit unimpeded removal of the cover yarn from the chamber 44 and to reduce spindle vibration during high speed rotation. Additionally, the exterior of housing 38 is tapered inwardly and upwardly to reduce stresses on the upper portion of the housing caused by centrifugal force and further reduce vibration during rotation.

To regulate the angular contact of the cover yarn 50 with the elastomeric thread 16, it is advantageous to provide a cover 52 removably secured to the upper rim 54 of the housing 38 by any convenient means representatively illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 by conventional, threaded screws 56. The cover contains an opening or aperture 58 through which extends the upper portion 48 of spindle 40.

It is also useful to provide a flange 60 or other suitable and similar means at the 48 of spindle 40 to regulate and retain the cover yarn 50 in the same angular and ballooning relationship with the elastomeric thread 16 during the wrapping operation. A small hub 62 can be provided to strengthen the connection of the flange 60 to the top 48 of the spindle 40.

It is obvious that concentricity of the cup and spindle structure is required to minimize vibration during high speed rotation. The components described have been designed particularly to avoid vibrational problems and provide supporting structure which will minimize any stresses developed during rotation at extremely high speeds.

While extremely reliable operation is obtained by use of the top 52, it is to be noted that the cup 22 operates quite satisfactorily without providing this component though the ballooning of the cover yarn as it emerges from the chamber 44 and contacts the elastomeric thread 16 will be increased to some degree.

The design of a chambered contained for wrapping yarn results in a flangeless bobbin of reduced weight when compared to conventional, flanged bobbin thus permitting greater control of vibration in the bobbin structure and reducing the expense in extremely highstrength joints between the hub and flanges of conventional bobbins.

It is proposed to use as a supply of cover yarn, in conjunction with the uniquely structured cup previously described one or more yarn packages of unusual construction. In analyzing the retention and subsequent dispensation of cover yarn 50 from within chamber 44 spirally about the elastomeric thread 16, it is clear that the yarn package must be maintained in a dynamically balanced condition. In order for yarn to be properly dispensed from the chamber to avoid any undesirable vibration of the cup and spindle, it is quite useful to take advantage of the centrifugal force which causes the yarn to cling to the interior wall of the chamber 44. This is accomplished by constructing the packages so that the yarn feedout is achieved from the inside 66 of the yarn package 64 progressively to the outside 68 of the package. Thus the yarn is generally retained in its original precisely wrapped and packaged configuration against the walls of the chamber 44 in a rather substantial manner because of the centrifugal force that is naturally applied during rotation.

It is advantageous to fill the chamber 44 with a plurality of small yarn packages 64 since the traverse of yarn for the height h of the package is less than would be the case if one package were constructed to fill the entire chamber 44. This particular arrangement will minimize yarn stresses which might result in breakage in the event a single package filling the chamber 44 were used and the traverse of yarn would be three or four times the height h of a small package. However, it is not meant to limit the present invention to the use of more than one yarn package within the chamber 44 as satisfactory results can be achieved by the use of one, two, or more such packages. Continuity of wrapping may be achieved by trying the ends of each of the smaller packages (in the event these are used) one to the other so that the consumption of a first package results in the immediate and uninterrupted use of the next adjacent package and so on. It is also contemplated that a continuous supply of cover yarn may be separately packaged into plural units.

The construction of the individual packages 64 is important for reliable operation of the cup described above, and it has been found that packages formed by compacting the relatively loosely wound yarn in the presence of heat and/or some adhesive or finish provides self-supporting packages. It is necessary that a critical application of an adhesive or finish such as sizing, paste, or the like be used to prevent any interference with the unwinding operation. It is possible to achieve suitable stability by subjecting the packaging to pressure or heat alone, and the desired self-supporting characteristics are governed in each instance by the application involved. Conventional rotational speeds of flanged yarn packages for wrapping yarn about elastomeric threads moving in close proximity are presently maximized at about 20,000 to 25,000 revolutions per minute, while operation of the cup and spindle arrangement described herein is efficient at 60,000 revolutions per minute and above. Utilization of the particularly designed yarn package described herein increases that efficiency.

While there has been described a novel cup and spindle arrangmement for permitting high speed wrapping of cover yarns about elastomeric threads, and a stable flangeless yarn package, it will be understood that these are representative embodiments only. Various modifications and structural changes may be made in the cup chamber, covering and other elements of the disclosed concept without departing in any way from the spirit and purpose of the present invention. Such modifications and changes are contemplated.

We claim:

1. For use with high speed apparatus for covering elastomeric threads, a yarn cup suitable for rotation at high speeds to provide cover yarns for wrapping elastomeric threads comprising: a spindle and a concentrically mounted housing secured to and rotatable with said spindle, said housing having a chamber therein for receiving a cover yarn supply for wrapping elastomeric threads whereby cover yarn is fed therefrom contiguous with said spindle and wrapped about the elastomeric thread.

2. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cover for said housing having a circular opening concentric about such spindle.

3. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 2 further comprising means proximate said shaft regulating the angle of cover yarn with respect to the elastomeric thread as the cover yarn is wrapped thereabout.

4. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover yarn is fed from said chamber at a location adjacent said spindle and wrapped about the elastomeric thread.

5. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1, said spindle tapering upwardly through and above said housing to permit dispensation of the cover yarn from said chamber and reduce spindle vibration.

6. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 4, said spindle tapering upwardly through and above said housing to permit dispensation of the cover yarn from said chamber and reduce s indl vi r tion.

7. A yarn cup as cla ned in c ai m 1, said housing having an exterior tapering upwardly and inwardly to reduce stresses on the upper portion of said housing caused by centrifugal force and reduce vibration of said housing and spindle during rotation.

8. A yarn cup as claimed 6, said housing having an exterior tapering upwardly and inwardly to reduce stresses on the upper portion of said housing caused by centrifugal force and reduce vibration of said housing and spindle during rotation.

9. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 8, said covering controlling the dispensation of the cover yarn to limit ballooning.

10. A yarn cup as claimed in claimed 1, further comprising a cover yarn supply having at least one self-supporting yarn package cooperatively positioned within said chamber.

11. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a cover yarn supply having at least one self-supporting yarn package cooperatively positioned within said chamber.

12. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 11, said self-supporting yarn package formed by compacting wound yarn to an extend that the package is stable and the unwinding operation is not impeded.

13. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 12, said compacted yarn package being subjected to heat.

14. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 12, said compacted yarn package being subjected to an adhesive. 

1. For use with high speed apparatus for covering elastomeric threads, a yarn cup suitable for rotation at high speeds to provide cover yarns for wrapping elastomeric threads comprising: a spindle and a concentrically mounted housing secured to and rotatable with said spindle, said housing having a chamber therein for receiving a cover yarn supply for wrapping elastomeric threads whereby cover yarn is fed therefrom contiguous with said spindle and wrapped about the elastomeric thread.
 2. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cover for said housing having a circular opening concentric about such spindle.
 3. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 2 further comprising means proximate said shaft regulating the angle of cover yarn with respect to the elastomeric thread as the cover yarn is wrapped thereabout.
 4. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover yarn is fed from said chamber at a location adjacent said spindle and wrapped about the elastomeric thread.
 5. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1, said spindle tapering upwardly through and above said housing to permit dispensation of the cover yarn from said chamber and reduce spindle vibration.
 6. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 4, said spindle tapering upwardly through and above said housing to permit dispensation of the cover yarn from said chamber and reduce spindle vibration.
 7. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1, said housing having an exterior tapering upwardly and inwardly to reduce stresses on the upper portion of said housing caused by centrifugal force and reduce vibration of said housing and spindle during rotation.
 8. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 6, said housing having an exterior tapering upwardly and inwardly to reduce stresses on the upper portion of said housing caused by centrifugal force and reduce vibration of said housing and spindle during rotation.
 9. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 8, said covering controlling the dispensation of the cover yarn to limit ballooning.
 10. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover yarn supply having at least one self-supporting yarn package cooperatively positioned within said chamber.
 11. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a cover yarn supply having at least one self-supporting yarn package cooperatively positioned within said chamber.
 12. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 11, said self-supporting yarn package formed by compacting wound yarn to an extend that the package is stable and the unwinding operation is not impeded.
 13. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 12, said compacted yarn package being subjected to heat.
 14. A yarn cup as claimed in claim 12, said compacted yarn package being subjected to an adhesive. 